Skeletal System

Front

Skeletal System Noun

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[skel-i-tl sis-tuhm]

Back

Skeletal System

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The organ system of bones, cartilage, and ligaments that provides the body with shape, support, and protection.

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Example: This diagram shows the human skeletal system and labels key bones like the femur, humerus, and pelvis, helping to identify their names and locations.

Front

Axial Skeleton Noun

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[ak-see-uhl skel-i-tn]

Back

Axial Skeleton

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The part of the skeleton comprising bones around the central axis, including the skull, rib cage, and vertebral column.

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Example: This diagram highlights the axial skeleton in green, showing its main parts: the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage, which form the body's central axis.

Front

Appendicular Skeleton Noun

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[ap-en-dik-yuh-ler skel-i-tn]

Back

Appendicular Skeleton

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The portion of the skeleton consisting of the bones of the limbs, which are responsible for movement and locomotion.

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Example: This diagram highlights the appendicular skeleton in red, showing the bones of the arms, hands, legs, feet, and the shoulder and pelvic girdles.

Front

Vertebrae Noun

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[vur-tuh-bray]

Back

Vertebrae

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The series of small, individual bones that interlock to form the backbone, also known as the vertebral column.

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Example: This diagram shows how vertebrae, the bones of the spine, stack together with discs in between to protect the spinal cord and nerve roots.

Front

Periosteum Noun

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[per-ee-os-tee-uhm]

Back

Periosteum

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A dense, fibrous membrane that covers the outer surface of bones and contains blood vessels and nerves for nourishment.

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Example: This diagram shows the periosteum as the thin outer membrane covering a bone, highlighting its location with a magnified cross-section.

Front

Compact Bone Noun

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[kom-pakt bohn]

Back

Compact Bone

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The hard, dense, and rigid outer layer of bone tissue that provides strength, protection, and structural support.

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Example: This diagram shows that compact bone is the hard, dense outer layer of a bone, which provides strength and protection.

Front

Spongy Bone Noun

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[spuhn-jee bohn]

Back

Spongy Bone

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The inner, less dense layer of bone tissue with a porous, honeycomb-like structure that contains bone marrow.

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Example: This image shows a cross-section of a long bone, revealing the internal, honeycomb-like structure which is known as spongy bone.

Front

Bone Marrow Noun

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[bohn mar-oh]

Back

Bone Marrow

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A soft, flexible connective tissue found within the cavities of bones, responsible for producing blood cells and storing fat.

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Example: This diagram shows a cut-away view of a bone, highlighting the location of red bone marrow (which makes blood cells) and yellow bone marrow.

Front

Red Bone Marrow Noun

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[red bohn mar-oh]

Back

Red Bone Marrow

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The type of bone marrow responsible for hematopoiesis, the production of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

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Example: This diagram shows that red bone marrow is found in the spongy part of long bones, while yellow bone marrow is found in the central cavity.

Front

Yellow Marrow Noun

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[yel-oh mar-oh]

Back

Yellow Marrow

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The type of bone marrow that primarily consists of fat cells and serves as an energy reserve for the body.

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Example: This diagram shows a cross-section of a long bone, with a magnified view highlighting the yellow marrow located in the central shaft.